QNET, an international direct selling company that has been engulfed in accusations of fraud allegedly carried out by its independent representatives or distributors in Liberia, has finally been exonerated by the jury in a landmark case involving Yacouba Sawadogo, an independent representative of the company.
This marks a significant victory for the company that has been trying to redeem its image and fight against the misuse of its name. It would be recalled that Ivorian national Yacouba Sawadogo, 36, was the first foreign national to face trial after Liberia’s 2021 revision of its trafficking law which mandates a minimum sentence of 20 years prison for anyone found guilty of the charge.
State prosecutors accused Mr. Sawadogo and two others allegedly received between US$1,000 – $3000 from eleven victims between 2022 and 2023 under the deception that they would process their travel documents to Canada, “where they would work and earn money to better their lives.”
October 21, 2024, Yacouba Sawadogo, was acquitted by a Liberian court on charges of human trafficking, theft, kidnapping, and conspiracy. A jury found insufficient evidence to convict Sawadogo, with eleven of twelve jurors voting to clear him of all allegations. QNET has always reiterated its commitment to ethical business practices and on many occasions, condemned any exploitation.
The company has, through media publications and press releases maintained that it does not condone fraud, scam or employment schemes attached to travelling to the US, Canada or any other country. The company has also mentioned in the past that it is not a Ponzi or investment scheme.
The company’s sub-Saharan Regional Manager, Mr. Biram Fall who visited Liberia and interacted with journalists during an extensive media tour, is on record to have said that QNET is a law-abiding company that upholds ethical values, transparency and accountability at all times.
He explained that the company, as a legitimate business, is willing and ready to always work with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to fight scams and misrepresentation of its brand in Liberia and other parts of Africa.
